TIABC's Voice of Tourism

In this episode of TIABC's Voice of Tourism, Walt Judas welcomes Matt Jennings, Executive Director of the BC Fishing Tourism Association, for a wide-ranging conversation about fishing, rural tourism, and the future of BC's angling sector. Matt shares how growing up in the small community of Little Fort, where his father ran a fly shop on Fishing Highway 24 for over 30 years, eventually led him bac...

In this episode of TIABC's Voice of Tourism, Walt Judas welcomes Royce Chwin, President and CEO of Destination Vancouver, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, city building, and the future of Vancouver's visitor economy. Born and raised in the Lower Mainland, Royce shares his non-linear career path, from cleaning grease traps and opening Boston Pizza franchises to leading Canada's nation...

In this episode of TIABC's Voice of Tourism, Walt Judas welcomes Marsha Walden, President and CEO of Destination Canada, for an engaging conversation about her remarkable career journey and Canada's ambitious tourism future. Born to Dutch immigrants in Vancouver, Walden shares how her father's hotel business sparked her early connection to tourism, beginning with her first job as a buffet attendan...

In this episode of TIABC's Voice of Tourism, Walt Judas welcomes Starr McMichael, owner and president of Starrboard Enterprises, for a conversation spanning decades of tourism innovation on southern Vancouver Island. Starr shares her journey from cleaning the heads on the historic Princess Marguerite turboelectric vessel to building the Truffles Group and becoming a governance leader with her Inst...

In this episode, Walt Judas welcomes Mike Retasket, who currently serves as a Director for the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, New Pathways to Gold Society, and TIABC, for a powerful conversation about Indigenous leadership, cultural preservation, and the journey from activism to reconciliation through tourism. Mike shares his remarkable path from crossing the US-Canada border to beco...

In this episode of TIABC’s Voice of Tourism, Brett Soberg, co-owner and lead captain of Eagle Wing Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours, shares his journey from art school to marine ecotourism and his passion for protecting the Salish Sea. He discusses how Eagle Wing became North America’s first carbon-neutral whale watching company, the creation of their award-winning Floating Classroom program, and...

In this episode of TIABC's Voice of Tourism, Ben Liegey, founder and CEO of Better Table, shares his journey from Alsace, France, to Canada, where he focuses on food sustainability and reducing food waste in the tourism industry.  He discusses the importance of understanding food waste, the impact of sustainability practices, and the role of culinary tourism and agritourism in British Columbia. Be...

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas welcomes Heather MacDonald, Chief Integrative Officer of Gibbons Whistler, for an engaging conversation on leadership, workforce challenges, and the resort community’s future. Heather shares her journey from Perth, Australia to Whistler, starting as a server at Black’s Pub and working her way through finance and operations to help lead one of Whistler’s mos...

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas welcomes Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice President of Big White Ski Resort Ltd., for a dynamic conversation on hospitality, ski tourism, and the future of winter recreation in BC. Michael shares his journey from Winnipeg to Jasper Park Lodge and eventually to the Okanagan, where he helped shape Big White into a world-class destination. He reflects on les...

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas welcomes Deneen Allen, founder and CEO of Firecircle and Pure North Canada, for an inspiring conversation on entrepreneurship, innovation, and tourism development. Deneen shares her journey from boutique hospitality ventures in Ontario to building Canada’s first online tourism and hospitality development hub. She reflects on the challenges and opportunities...

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas welcomes Barrett Fisher, President and CEO of Tourism Whistler, for an engaging conversation on destination management, major events, and community sustainability. Barrett shares her journey from journalism on Vancouver’s North Shore to leading one of Canada’s premier resort destinations for over three decades. She reflects on Whistler’s transformation befo...

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas welcomes Serge Corbeil, Director of Government and Community Relations for Air Canada, for a compelling conversation on aviation, tourism, and public policy. Serge shares his journey from Montreal to BC, moving from journalism and politics to the airline industry. He reflects on Air Canada’s impact on regional connectivity, the challenges of navigating gove...

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas welcomes Sandra Oldfield, founder of Elysian Projects and former CEO of Tinhorn Creek Winery, for a compelling conversation on entrepreneurship, wine tourism, and leadership. Sandra shares her journey from California to BC’s South Okanagan, reflecting on her role in building a destination winery and the lessons she’s carried into her work mentoring small bu...

Frank Antoine, Chief of the Bonaparte First Nation and co-founder of Moccasin Trails, joins TIABC’s Voice of Tourism podcast to share his journey from ranching and golf to global Indigenous tourism leadership. He reflects on regenerative tourism, cultural sustainability, community building, and his vision for Indigenous-led tourism in BC and beyond.

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas welcomes Kathy Cooper, CEO of Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association, for an engaging discussion on the evolution of tourism in the region. Kathy shares her journey from the hospitality industry to tourism leadership, highlighting how Kootenay Rockies Tourism has navigated challenges like transportation gaps, sustainability, and shifting community values. She...

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas welcomes Brenda Baptiste, Chair of Indigenous Tourism BC, for an engaging discussion on the transformative power of Indigenous tourism. Brenda shares her journey from community health nursing to tourism leadership, highlighting how cultural revitalization, economic development, and identity are deeply connected.

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas and Peter Pilarski, Founder of Tourism AI Network, to discuss his inspiring journey, the role of AI in overcoming industry challenges, and how tourism businesses can adopt new technologies to stay competitive and deliver world-class experiences. -- Follow TIABC on  LinkedIn Subscribe to the TIABC  mailing list  for regular updates on BC's tourism sector.

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas and Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO at Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association discuss her career path, her work in sustainable tourism, and what challenges business owners & operators are facing in the province today. -- Follow TIABC on  LinkedIn Subscribe to the TIABC  mailing list  for regular updates on BC's tourism sector.

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas and Amy Thacker , CEO at Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association discuss her career path, her work in sustainable tourism, and what challenges business owners & operators are facing in the province today. -- Follow TIABC on  LinkedIn Subscribe to the TIABC  mailing list  for regular updates on BC's tourism sector.

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas and Krista Bax, CEO at go2HR discuss her career path, her work in sustainable tourism, and what challenges business owners & operators are facing in the province today. -- Follow TIABC on  LinkedIn Subscribe to the TIABC  mailing list  for regular updates on BC's tourism sector.

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas and Anthony Everett, Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer, 4VI Social Enterprise Group discuss his career path, his work in sustainable tourism, and what challenges business owners & operators are facing in the province today. -- Follow TIABC on  LinkedIn Subscribe to the TIABC  mailing list  for regular updates on BC's tourism sector.

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas and Craig Murray, Owner of Nimmo Bay Resort, discusses his career path, his work in sustainable tourism, and what challenges business owners & operators face in the province today. -- Follow TIABC on  LinkedIn Subscribe to the TIABC  mailing list  for regular updates on BC's tourism sector.

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas and Dave Butler, Vice-President, Sustainability, at CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures, discuss his career path, his work in sustainable tourism, and what challenges business owners & operators are facing in the province today. -- Follow TIABC on  LinkedIn Subscribe to the TIABC  mailing list  for regular updates on BC's tourism sector. Learn more...

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas and Nancy Stibbard, Owner and CEO of the Capilano Group of Companies, discuss her career path, her work in tourism through the Capilano Group's different businesses, and what challenges business owners & operators are facing in the province today. -- Follow TIABC on  LinkedIn Subscribe to the TIABC  mailing list  for regular updates on BC's tourism sect...

TIABC's Voice of Tourism host Walt Judas and Charlayne Thornton-Joe, Visitor Experience and Facilities Coordinator at the Chinese Canadian Museum Society of British Columbia, discuss her career path, her work with tourism as a former Victoria City Councillor, and what BC's cities need to grow and prosper as tourism destinations. -- Follow TIABC on  LinkedIn Subscribe to the TIABC  mailing list  fo...